Krissa Barclay, Former DCDP Chair

Here is what I would like people to know about improvements at TNDP during the last two years: the operations and data were significantly improved due to the extra TNDP resources that were employed for a longer time instead of the usual six months prior to the elections. This was a trial effort that had been suggested for years and only time (and funding) will decide if it should be permanent. The tools that campaign coordinators and volunteers needed were readily available and more people were trained to use these tools all across the state. Volunteers with skills were vital since Tennessee was not a state in play this year. This meant that national money didn't flow as it has in years past and previous funding sources like Democratic congressman, state senators and state representatives needed every dime they raised to fight for their seats.

I attribute much of the operation improvements to Jennifer Buck Wallace and her larger team who were pulling 20 hour days making sure all the volunteer walking and calling data was uploaded daily. During early voting, early voting data for over 50 counties was removed daily helping us to narrow our focus. Volunteers and TNDP employees were loyal to her because she was always in the middle of the grind with them and made sure they understood that their efforts were important. Jennifer was excellent at identifying the abilities of volunteers and then soliciting additional hours of assistance from them with her kind words and efforts.


The fact that Tennessee Democrats were surprised to lose so many seats is undisputed. It is also undisputed that most mid-term elections after a Presidential Election are almost always detrimental to the party in the White House. Add the Tea Party and a well-meaning but weak Gubernatorial candidate at the top of the ballot to the mix and its a recipe for disaster. Maybe the improved data operations and volunteer efforts didn't help but the current blame game over the losses is hindering productive dialogue about what did and did not work better than in previous election cycles.

I support any and all efforts to find and promote democratic candidates, develop additional funding to democratic candidates, determine an effective message and improve the operations and available data to help elect more Democrats statewide. I am not sure what the answers are but I hope Sunday, January 9, everyone involved in this debate will put their differences aside and focus on how to turn the tide back in Tennessee Democrats favor in 2012.

Krissa Barclay

Former DCDP Chair